Millions of gallons of water could start flowing to Landis and China Grove customers within 10 days.
State officials gave the OK Monday to a daily transfer of 750,000 gallons of treated water from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department to Landis.
“It means we won’t go dry,” said Landis Town Administrator F.E. Isenhour.
It also means the town won’t have to go to the critical Level 4 restrictions that would force closure of businesses and industries.
Despite a year of strict conservation measures, the two lakes which supply 3000 customers in Landis and China Grove are at less than 30 percent capacity. Officials said last week there is around 40 days of usable water left.
The new supply of water won’t come cheap.
Landis and China Grove residents will likely face an emergency water rate hike to pay the cost.
“We will have water, but it will cost, “ said Isenhour.
Isenhour said the rate for Landis residents could increase by more than 50 percent. Currently, residents have one of the lowest rates around.
Right now, Landis is processing about 750,000 gallons a day and selling almost half of that — about 300,000 gallons — to China Grove.
China Grove gets about 60 percent of its water from Landis and an additional 200,000 gallons daily from wells.
With the emergency supply from Charlotte, Landis would have the option of closing or cutting back its water plant.
China Grove Town Manager Ron Sutphin said the Town Council will discuss a possible rate hike next week.
The determining factor will be whether Landis increases its rate to China Grove.
“It’s very remarkable how quickly the municipalities have come together to help southern Rowan County,” said Sutphin this morning.
The Landis Board of Aldermen will discuss the emergency water purchase at its meeting next Monday night.
Isenhour said the water flow can start as soon as a pump is installed to boost the flow from the Kannapolis system. Crews are expected to install the pump near the connection between the two systems near the Wal-Mart shopping center on U.S. 29.
Isenhour said he’ll ask the Board of Aldermen to approve a budget amendment to pay to install the pump.
A cost estimate wasn’t available today.
Officials from Landis, China Grove, Kannapolis, Concord, Charlotte-Mecklenburg met with state officials Monday to work out an agreement.
Under the state-approved plan, up to 750,000 gallons daily will come from Mountain Island Lake in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg system.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg will transfer the water to Concord, which will transfer it to Kannapolis, which will pump it to Landis and China Grove.
State officials have approved the transfer of as much as 2 million gallons daily from the Catawba River basin to the Yadkin basin. Landis and China Grove don’t need that much water and the 8-inch water line that connects Landis and Kannapolis would not carry that much.
Isenhour said the 750,000 gallons daily should provide ample water for both towns and give Landis’ two lakes time to replenish themselves.
Current water restrictions are expected to remain in place. A permanent solution to the water problems in southern Rowan is months away.
Construction crews should finish a new water line from Salisbury to China Grove and Landis in June.
The nearly $7-million project backed by Rowan County will have the capacity to provide 11 million gallons of treated water daily.
Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com or call 704-797-4254.
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